SANDING Synonyms: 25 Similar and Opposite Words

sanding

verb

present participle of sand

as in rubbing

to make smooth by friction painstakingly sanded down the wooden floors of the old house

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of sanding Roughly a month before Kirk’s killing, Twiggs said Robinson asked for a Dremel, a tool used for sanding or grinding, to engrave bullets for an upcoming family hunting trip. — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 11 July 2026 Rather than using a standard stonewash, TacticalGeek says the blade is hand-finished with sanding and polishing steps that refine the surface from coarse to fine, while the groove area uses EDM machining for extra texture and visual depth. — New Atlas, 9 July 2026 Some cabinets require sanding, filling small nicks and dings, sanding again to smooth the patch material, and adding coats of filler just to get the cabinets ready to be taped off and to apply the primer. — Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 6 July 2026 Their work included sanding the benches along the Naperville Riverwalk. — Evgenia Anastasakos, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026 During a walk-through for reporters on Thursday, construction noises — particularly sanding and hammering — could be heard. — ABC News, 11 June 2026 Then sanding, priming, spraying back at my own shop to create numerous avatars of her including a male trixter hero version named the ‘Frozen Charlatan’ who is the chrome metallic alter ego. — Chris Willman, Variety, 9 June 2026 Consider sanding and staining the wood, or at least providing a sealant, to help protect against the elements. — Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 3 June 2026 Inside the one that serves as Lestat’s luxe tour bus, someone is sanding down his wooden coffin. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 2 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sanding

Verb

But the comfort extends beyond the insole, as the soft fabric straps help prevent rubbing while also lending the sandals a more elevated look.

— Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 12 July 2026
Continue rubbing until the friction lifts the residue from the fabric.

— Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 2 July 2026

Definition of rubbing

Verb

The investment of time and money put into excavating and polishing a skeleton such as Gus would not be possible, according to Hatton, without the prospect of a high-value sale.

— Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 13 July 2026
Rather than using a standard stonewash, TacticalGeek says the blade is hand-finished with sanding and polishing steps that refine the surface from coarse to fine, while the groove area uses EDM machining for extra texture and visual depth.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 9 July 2026

Definition of polishing

Verb

The hike includes the park’s east side on the Grasslands Trail, which leads to a Kumeyaay grinding rocks site and the scenic Old Mission Dam overlook.

— Linda Mcintosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 July 2026
Those particles may have been grinding in the joint, causing mechanical wear on the cobalt-chromium femoral head that released cobalt into the surrounding tissue and bloodstream.

— Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 2 July 2026

Definition of grinding

Verb

Those duties include protecting estate assets, notifying creditors, maintaining financial records and filing an inventory of the estate with the court.

— Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 14 July 2026
On Monday, Mexico began filing complaints to US state and federal prosecutors to request criminal investigations, and sent cease-and-desist letters to private companies that manage US detention centers where Mexican immigrants have died.

— Rocío Muñoz-Ledo, CNN Money, 14 July 2026

Definition of filing

Verb

Finally, to ensure the doors are working smoothly, Sibley suggests applying high-quality car wax to the aluminum, buffing off the wax with a microfiber towel, and then finishing with a light coat of WD40 or Silicone spray on the rollers.

— Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 6 July 2026
Use an applicator pad (often supplied with the wax) and start buffing with a fresh microfiber towel.

— BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2026

Definition of buffing

Verb

Our editorial focus is sharpening around Black women as travelers, entrepreneurs, cultural architects, and community builders.

— Daphne Bryson Jackson, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026
Europe’s strategic periphery is not only integral to European security but is actively deepening transatlantic tensions and sharpening intra-European divisions.

— Galip Dalay, Time, 7 July 2026

Definition of sharpening

Browse Nearby Words

sandglasses

sanding

sandpaper

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“Sanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanding. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of sanding

verb

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